4th Sunday of Easter

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Again we can admire the zealous attitude of the apostles in their proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ resurrected. Paul and Barnabas, who did the work of evangelization in a Jewish diaspora, didn’t receive a good reception, but they were not discouraged; they received it as a sign, to proclaim the gospel to pagan people: “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” In similar spirit and even in a wider universal perspective, to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, St. John the Apostle tells us this in his Apocalypses. He “had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” Thanks to their testimony of life “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” It is possible because the message of Jesus from the beginning was directed to all nations, to all times and places, which explains today’s Gospel, comparing Jesus Christ to a good Shepherd, and every listener of Jesus' word, to sheep, whom Jesus has gained eternal life. As a result we can be sure that everyone who follows Jesus and begins to live his lifestyle every day will be counted in the people saved by Him, according to the confirmation of the Apocalypses where Jesus Christ himself persuades: “They (sheep) shall never perish. No one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” As we, who follow Jesus, can see, we are in the best hands of the Father.